MANILA, Philippines — Amid controversies surrounding Philippine offshore gaming operator firms, Sen. Imee Marcos has proposed the suspension of POGOs and is seeking assistance from China, which has banned offshore gaming for its citizens.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has conducted anti-illegal POGO operations in Pampanga and arrested several Chinese nationals involved in the illegal activities.“Those caught illegally should be charged because it’s really unclear that they don’t obey the peace and order and immigration laws,” she said.
“The BI must explain the situation. Even the immigration is said to be in cahoots with some DFA personnel issuing permanent resident visas. Then the police, why is it that the raiders can’t enter because there were bodyguards,” she added. “Last time, I learned there were about P12 billion, but there were many are scam activities. Is it beneficial to do that? There were too many under the table, others didn’t pay taxes. It’s hard to make money, but they only give stingy money,” the senator said.“The reputation of the Philippines is that our country provide refuge to criminals. And some say that in the Philippines, there is no law, you can buy anything and anyone. It’s a shame,” she said.
In a press release, PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said that alien hacking and scam syndicates or AHaSS are the real threats to national security, not legitimate and licensed offshore gaming operators. “We should not blame and demonize our licensed gaming operators because these are closely monitored by PAGCOR,” he said. “Our licensees pay taxes, and they help provide legitimate jobs and livelihood to a lot of people.”
“These criminal syndicates are not engaged in offshore gaming at all, and even if they are, they are doing it illegally. So they are the real threats, and we must go after them with everything that we have,” he added.Meanwhile, a Chinese fugitive was among the rescued foreign nationals at a POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga, an official of the PAOCC said yesterday.
Remulla has directed the NBI and the BI “to be on top of the case, file charges if warranted, and immediately deport those proven to have violated immigration laws.”